Primary finding
Probable cause
A failure of the landing gear fitting at the fuselage attachment point to due to a poor weld joint.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated he was landing on a remote, rough and uneven gravel bar in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the landing roll, the left wing suddenly dipped, and it subsequently struck the gravel bar, sustaining substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that the left main landing gear had separated. Examination of the separated landing gear revealed the fractured areas of the weld at the fuselage attachment point exhibited rounded, reflected features consistent with a lack of fusion. In addition, there were areas that were absent of weld material along the circumferential or peripheral area, consistent with a lack of fusion. According to maintenance records the weld was from a landing gear conversion about 11 years prior to the accident.